Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-17

| Immediately after dinner.
And so the long deary evenings ran on
as they had run on for months before.
The Professor took some recreation, to
be sure, and in it she shared. There was
a society of very learned people in the
neighborhood who met at private houses
once month to proudly exhibit to each
other the solid chunks of truth that they
had dug up out OF the terra incognita. all
by themselves. during the 80 days pre-
ceding. The meetings were perhaps not
"a exciting as dancing party; they might
even have been beaten in 100 yards
race bv healthy church sociable. if the
| question Of amusement we're considered.
| But they were very interesting from a
scientific standpoint. and the Professor
enjoved them greatly. so that it was natural
that she should enjoy them, too.
At one of these meetings she found her.
self seated next to a young man whose
clothes fitted SO perfectly that he seemed
almost worldly. He had been introduced
to her that evening as "Mr. Jack" Some
thing-or-other, the brother of the hostess.
When the paper was finished and every
body began discussing its points she
turned to the young man, who seemed
quite reserved, with a courteous desire to
make him feel at ease.
"Are you engagedin scientific pursuits?'
she asked.
Somewhat" he said.
'Do you read this EVENING""
al have paper. 1t doesn't amount to
much" he said modestly.
"Might ask the subject?"
'Certainlv 1t is Researches into the
Reiicence IF the Horned Toad"
"Indeed.'' she said, and she nodded as
if the subject were quite familiar to her.
1t was The way that all professors wives
aid.
Have you been at it long?"
"Some months"
"And what do you find is the cause of
its-its reticence ! think you said ?''
He nodded. IL have concluded that il
is because it has absolutely nothing to
say"
She looked at him sharply in surprise
his eyes. She burst into peal of laughter
1t was too funny.
hen she checked herself and blushed
deeply. Everybody had looked up at the
frivolous sound. The Professor smiled in
good humored sympathy from across the
room. 1t occurred to him that he had moi
heard her laugh like that for long time
"How could you?" she asked Mr. JACK
in low tones of reproach minute later
"You are disgrace to this m"eting."
well My sister will make up" he
said hryiy. "She's buer than skim milk
just try her on the Notness of the Amt
She laughed again. 1t was rankeS
hereSy, but she could not help it. 1t fel
good to laugh. There was scarcelya paper
that evening which did not call forth ;
shot from the Tree and fearless Arab at bel
side, except the Professors. He compli
mented that quite gracefully. She seemed
to know him awfully well and was with
him during all the evening. She inviter
him cordially ut The close to come and see
them.
MIR. Jacks Irish eyes were very tar
sighted and for other things besides the
invoices and sales which occupied him
during the day on Front-street, in San
Francisco. He had seen her several times
on the ferryboat and trains, knew who she
was, and was very DESTROYS of knowing
her personally. 1t had not been an acci
dent that found him seated next to her al
the meeting He was delighted to find
that ali his pleasant impressions concern.
ing her we're correct.
During the following week he called to
see them and spend the evening. The
Professor suspended his labors for a time,
but finally wandered back to them with an
apology to his guest. Mr.. Jack did not
conceal his chagrin over what some pep
pie might have rega, ded as a lapse in
| hospitality because he felt none. He was
quite content to remain in the sitting room
and chat with his hostess over things in
general He called again.
The influence OF scientific surroundings
appeared, after a time, to have 4nite a
clvilizing effects on their caller lie had
gathered a great deal OF information, and
| the interest he took in The Goblin moth was
really surprising in one SD new to the
subject. He listened to the Professor
with undimnishing attention and become
IA frequent visitor. 1t seemed IA though
his appetite for entomology was difficult
to satisfy. Finally, one evening The Pro-
fessor insisted upon reading to him the
opening chapter of his works.
She looked i'm mems-lv amused at the pre-.
position. and from some cause smile OF
uIdliClOuS sdtlSlUtIoU luTktu dDOuG lnt
corners of her mouth. She appeared to
think for some reason, that it served him
right.
The Professor read his periods with
somorouS satisfaction. with the eloquence
of a Webster before the senate of all
nature, cnunscliny the entire order of lep
idnptera 10 mend their WAYS and reform
She did not dare to look at him. She
was biting her lips to keep from laughing
and at her own dear Professor, too. She
was surprised at herself She must be
getting verv wicked, she thought.
Thunder y CALCULATED Mr., Jack, sud
denly
what is it ?" said the Professor, peer
ing over his speclarts
IL have cut through my pericarp. I am
afraid said Mr.. Jack, with an apologize
smile. He held up one of his fingers,
which showed red bead of blood increas-
ing rapidly in size.
How did YOU do it? ''
81 was carlessly opening and shutting
this kniteb!ade. 1t is new and sharp, and
pressed on it too hard"
"Let me tie rag around it," said she.
and ran out of the room for cloth and
thread. Mr.. Jack went into the kitchen
to battle the cut in cold water. She found
! him there. aud 1t took god while to fix
it, "a the bl-eding inronsideratelv refused
to stop. When they came back the Pro-
fessor was deep in his work. and Nr. Jack